NEWSLETTER
On Saturday, the NBA had plans to open practice facilities on May 1st in areas with eased stay-at-home orders. Today, they don’t.
ESPN Adrian Wojnarowski reported today that the league has received “significant pushback” on the idea. Which … you don’t say? With Georgia slowly allowing people back out of their homes, the only organization that appeared to benefit from this announcement was the Atlanta Hawks. However, the team came forward and said they currently have no plans to open facilities and will continue to evaluate the situation over the next couple of weeks.
In any case, Wojnarowski reported that the NBA has decided to push back the date, though it apparently has nothing to do with the Hawks decision. And shortly after, the league released an official statement that identifies a date no earlier than May 8th for players to re-enter team facilities.
Here’s a full look at the release:
The NBA today announced that its targeting May 8th as a time to allow players to return to training facilities in states that have relaxed “Stay at Home” regulations. In other states, like Illinois, the league is looking to create other options for player workouts. @WGNNews pic.twitter.com/nFQ8HtKKzk
— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) April 27, 2020
I think we all need to understand, this is still only for communities with eased stay-at-home orders. For example, Illinois extended its order through May 30th and still doesn’t allow the use of gymnasiums or fitness centers. Therefore, we shouldn’t expect the Bulls to be in the Advocate Center anytime soon. The NBA does say that for those teams that can’t re-open facilities, they’ll work with them to “identify alternatives” … which I assume basically means “keep flipping those tires, boys!”
As for any team that does re-open its facility, there will be strict guidelines in place to maintain player and coach safety.
• No more than four players would be permitted at a facility at any one time.
• No head or assistant coaches could participate.
• Group activity remains prohibited, including practices or scrimmages.
• Players remain prohibited from using non-team facilities such as public health clubs, fitness centers, or gyms.
Meanwhile, The Athletic’s Sham Charania reported a couple other possible rules that players must follow:
Sources: When NBA’s facilities open as soon as May 8, players must wear facemasks at all times, except when in physical activity; staffers working with players must wear gloves; physical distancing of at least 12 feet.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 27, 2020
The NBA also informed franchises that players must conduct a resting ECG and troponin test before they resume engaging in activities at facility. https://t.co/FiRXGVnGhD
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 27, 2020
Sources: The NBA has informed each team to assign one senior executive to this position — Facility Hygiene Officer.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 27, 2020
If a team is going to open these facilities in the near future, these all seem like the appropriate measure to take. With that said, I do think it’s kind of hilarious that 30 senior executives will now become Facility Hygiene Officers. Don’t get me wrong, this is an incredibly important role – and a rather progressive move by the NBA – but who would’ve ever expected to get this job?
Anyway, I guess it’s good the league is being proactive about all of this. Adam Silver is simply trying to take care of all the players who are begging to get back on the hardwood. However, in our times, that is a lot easier said than done, so I wouldn’t be surprised if these plans change again sometime soon. Also, remember, none of this means the league is any closer to a return … we still have no clue when that’ll be.
